SirFozzie
07-12-2005, 02:16 PM
They might have been congratulated for their "green" efforts in an area of heavy air pollution.
Instead a group of French cleaning ladies who organised a car-pooling scheme to get to work are being taken to court by a coach company that accuses them of "an act of unfair and parasitical competition".
The women, who live in Moselle and work five days a week at European Union offices in Luxembourg, are being sued by Transports Schiocchet Excursions, which runs a service along the route. It wants the women fined and their cars confiscated.
Two years ago a business tribunal threw out the company's case. It is now pursuing the women in a higher court, saying their action has cost it €2 million ($3.2 million).
The women explained that for many years cleaners used the company line for the 40-minute ride across the border, which cost them €110 a month.
"Using our cars is quicker and at least twice as cheap. And on the bus we didn't have the right to eat or even to speak," said Martine Bourguignon.
Odette Friedmann added: "In the evening, instead of coming to get us at 9.30pm, the bus would arrive at 10.30pm. If you made any comment to the driver you'd get a mouthful of abuse."
The women's lawyer, Cécile Klein-Schmitt, said: "It's absurd and ridiculous. I don't see how any magistrate can find any legal basis for this case."
The court case will be heard in January.
Instead a group of French cleaning ladies who organised a car-pooling scheme to get to work are being taken to court by a coach company that accuses them of "an act of unfair and parasitical competition".
The women, who live in Moselle and work five days a week at European Union offices in Luxembourg, are being sued by Transports Schiocchet Excursions, which runs a service along the route. It wants the women fined and their cars confiscated.
Two years ago a business tribunal threw out the company's case. It is now pursuing the women in a higher court, saying their action has cost it €2 million ($3.2 million).
The women explained that for many years cleaners used the company line for the 40-minute ride across the border, which cost them €110 a month.
"Using our cars is quicker and at least twice as cheap. And on the bus we didn't have the right to eat or even to speak," said Martine Bourguignon.
Odette Friedmann added: "In the evening, instead of coming to get us at 9.30pm, the bus would arrive at 10.30pm. If you made any comment to the driver you'd get a mouthful of abuse."
The women's lawyer, Cécile Klein-Schmitt, said: "It's absurd and ridiculous. I don't see how any magistrate can find any legal basis for this case."
The court case will be heard in January.